Drown Compare And Contrast Ysrael And Yunior

Morgan Belforti

Prof. Ainsworth

Literature

23 April, 2016

Drown Compare and Contrast

“The absence of the father figure and the perpetual reality of abandonment which accompanies this absence oblige the generation of fatherless boys to construct their own vision of masculinity based, not only on the island’s remaining men, but also the hollow remains of what the fathers have left behind” (Riofrio, 26). In “Auguantando” and “No Face”, Ysrael and Yunior, both construct imaginary masculine versions of themselves in order to adapt to the challenges that come with living in the “Fatherless Generation; however, while Yunior struggles to ever find his true sense of self throughout his life, Ysrael is forced to adapt to his lonesome childhood brought

Ysraels childhood is not only characterized by an “absent, uncaring, and abusive father… who rejects [his] son” (Kevane, 3), but also by the loneliness and solitude that is brought on by his face deformity. Bullied and tormented by most he comes in contact with, Ysrael is forced to wear a mask and conjure up a superhero version in which FLIGHT, INVISIBILITY, and STRENGTH make him untouchable by life’s harsh realities. His imaginary, comic book self gives Ysrael senses of masculinity that his face deformity constantly threatens, and allows him to courageously deflect the daily attacks he counters. For instance, as Ysrael is attacked by boys with the intentions of unmasking him, they scream, “We’re going to make you a girl” (Diaz, 156). However, Ysrael successfully escapes the attempt “to feminize him” (Riofrio, 31) using his superhero alter ego’s strength. The mindset in which Ysrael believes he is faster and stronger than his attackers, although conjured up in his head, is what allows him to be fearless in standing up for himself and ultimately prevents his “weakness, disfigurement, and non-conformity” (Riofrio, 31) from being exploited. It is through his fictional persona that Ysrael is able to protect his masculinity, and preserve through his lonely and difficult

As Ysrael looses his true father as a masculine role model in his life due to his deformity, he also gains Padre Lou who positively shapes his character and future. Just as Riofrio argues in his article, Ysrael looks up to Lou in order to create his “own vision of masculinity based… on the island’s remaining men” (Riofrio, 26). Through Lou, Ysrael ultimately finds the self-assurance and positivity he needs in order to persevere, and is able to develop his sense of self based on his healthy male relationship with Lou instead of his father. Additionally, Ysrael’s fictional superhero persona serves as another catalyst that places him on the path towards a successful future. Utilizing his childish superpowers of FLIGHT, INVISIBILTY, and STRENGTH, Ysrael teaches himself how to perceiver and acquires life skills- such as gathering coins from the street so he can afford food- that allow him to fend for himself and survive on his own. His mastery of survival skills that he will need for the rest of his life is a direct result of the childish superhero persona he creates as a child, and points towards a future in which Ysrael will be able to successfully thrive on his